sCrubs @ Cardinals: Series Thread (Game 160-162)
Welp, the Cubs were mathematically eliminated early in the last series and appeared to be completely broken in body and spirit thereafter. Perhaps they were reserving whatever fight is left in them for this final series against the Cards. The Cubs can still play spoiler to the team that swept them at home last weekend; the Cards lead the Brewers by only one game and could even fall behind the Nats in the Wild Card should the Cubs manage to play decent ball. Nothing will compensate for this team's horrendous couple of weeks, but any chance to scuff the Cards' boots is worthwhile. Read below for the match-ups.
Game 160, Friday, September 27, 7:15pmCDT
CHC: RHP Alec Mills (1-0, 2.90 ERA)
STL: RHP Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.45 ERA)
Darvish is done for the season and Alec Mills gets another chance to make an impression before the offseason. So far, he has looked like a candidate to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation or a place in the bullpen as long reliever and spot starter in 2019. He gave the Cubs 4.2 scoreless innings against the Cards last weekend and their best shot at a win in the series. Hopefully, there's more of that in the tank.
Hudson lasted only three innings and allowed three earned runs on four walks and three hits last time out. It was his only start against the Cubs.
Game 161, Saturday, September 28, 6:15pmCDT
CHC: LHP Cole Hamels (7-7, 3.92 ERA)
STL: RHP Adam Wainwright (3.98 ERA)
Hamels returns after a skipped start to make his likely last appearance with the Cubs. Things haven't been great for him in the second half, but prior to that he gave the Cubs two half seasons of essentially ace performance. It's a bummer that he won't be getting a Wrigley ovation. He's 1-1 in two starts against the Cards this year, allowing one unearned run and collecting fourteen strikeouts in 15 innings along the way.
Wainwright defeated the D-Back last time out, pitching five innings and allowing five earned runs in Arizona. Before that, he strung together four very strong starts and allowed only one earned run along the way. He's 0-2 in three starts against the Cubs this year.
Game 162, Sunday, September 29, 2:15pmCDT
CHC: TBD
STL: TBD
The starters here will likely depend on whether the game matters for the standings. The Cubs should give Chatwood a start out of respect for the work he's done this season to remake himself as a useful reliever, but they'll use him earlier in the series if he helps their chances to take a chunk out of the Cards. Miles Mikolas should be available for this one, and the Cards may even start Flaherty if they are desperate to win the game, but the Cards can also send out Daniel Ponce de Leon if this one is moot.
Comments